Cool MateRun for cover vs Take cover
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Run for cover
Top 2,000 (common)
Take cover
Top 2,000 (common)
| Run for cover | Take cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //rʌn fə ˈkʌvə//🇺🇸 //rʌn fɔr ˈkʌvər// | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ˈkʌvə//🇺🇸 //teɪk ˈkʌvɚ// |
| Meaning | To go quickly to a safe place. | to find a safe place to protect yourself |
| Example | We had to run for cover when the hail started falling. | When the thunderstorm hit, we had to __take cover__ under a porch. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | run for cover, take cover, run away, seek shelter, find refuge | take cover immediately, take cover from the rain, take cover during the storm |
| Antonyms | - | expose, reveal |
| Common mistakes | Using 'run for cover' when referring to a casual situation., Confusing with 'run for office', which means to seek a political position., Incorrectly using 'cover' as a verb instead of a noun. | Confused with 'take' as a standalone verb, Using 'cover' alone without 'take', Misunderstanding the context; thinking it's about taking something |
| Usage notes | Often used in emergency situations or when needing to avoid danger. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts. | Commonly used during emergencies. It's important to use in serious contexts, but can be casual in playful situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Run for cover vs Take cover
What's the difference between Run for cover and Take cover?
Run for cover: To go quickly to a safe place. Take cover: to find a safe place to protect yourself
Can you show an example of each?
Run for cover: We had to run for cover when the hail started falling. Take cover: When the thunderstorm hit, we had to __take cover__ under a porch.
Can I use Run for cover and Take cover interchangeably?
Not always. Run for cover and Take cover are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.